Woods splits from Foley

Tiger Woods has ended his professional relationship with swing coach Sean Foley.

The 38-year-old 14-time major winner, who has ruled himself out of selection for the upcoming Ryder Cup tournament at Gleneagles, had worked with Foley since 2010.

In a statement published on his official website, Woods said: "I'd like to thank Sean for his help as my coach and for his friendship. Sean is one of the outstanding coaches in golf today, and I know he will continue to be successful with the players working with him.

"With my next tournament not until my World Challenge event at Isleworth in Orlando, this is the right time to end our professional relationship."

After managing just 11 full tournament rounds on his return to action following back surgery, Woods failed to qualify for Tom Watson's United States team automatically and informed the PGA of America that he did not wish to be considered for one of the three wild card places.

He has not won a major championship since 2008 and while switching coaches from Hank Haney to Foley four years ago helped him pick up three PGA Tour wins in 2012 and five in 2013, Woods has struggled to wrest back control of the golf world he dominated for a decade.

He stressed on Monday that he has no plans to hire a new instructor.

"Presently, I do not have a coach, and there is no timetable for hiring one," added Woods.

Canadian Foley was first seen working with Woods at the 2010 US PGA Championship and can number Justin Rose and Lee Westwood among his remaining clients.

The news of his split with the former world number one comes the day after another of his previous clients, Hunter Mahan, won The Barclays in New Jersey.

Foley said: "My time spent with Tiger is one of the highlights of my career so far, and I am appreciative of the many experiences we shared together.

"It was a lifelong ambition of mine to teach the best player of all time in our sport.

"I am both grateful for the things we had the opportunity to learn from one another, as well as the enduring friendship we have built. I have nothing but respect and admiration for him."